America 250: Discover local history in Sussex County

Sussex County Historical Society: Hill House, 82 Main St., Newton, NJ 07860, 973-383-6010

Sussex County was off the beaten path of any Revolutionary War battles, but the mines supplied iron for munitions and some mills ground grain to feed the troops.

The museum has a display of Revolutionary War veterans and patriots. It is open on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A number of veterans are buried in Old Newton Burial Ground, 41 Main St.

Sussex County History Day will be Saturday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Academy Green at the rear of 75-79 Main Street, Newton. Call 973-864-7852. The event will be free and feature historical displays and reenactments, guest speakers and presentations, interactive activities, local vendors and community organizations.

Morristown National Historic Park and Jacob Ford Mansion: 30 Washington Place, Morristown

Established as a home for iron manufacturer Jacob Ford Jr. and his family, the Jacob Ford Mansion was built at the start of the 1770s, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

During the Revolutionary War, Ford served as a Morris County militia colonel. After his death in 1777, Ford’s widow, Theodosia, allowed Gen. George Washington to occupy the home as a headquarters.

It became one of the first U.S. house museums in 1933, when the Washington Association of New Jersey donated it to the NPS.

Guests may see the house on guided tours. It is designed to look like it did for Washington’s stay during the winter of 1779-80.

Tours of the mansion typically are offered at 11 a.m. and 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Tickets are free; they may not be reserved online or by phone before your visit.

Long Pond Ironworks: 1334 Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Hewitt

Long Pond Iron Works, in the Hewitt section of West Milford, was founded in 1765 by Peter Hasenclever, a German ironmaster who imported hundreds of European workers to work on iron-making plantations.

During the Civil War, iron produced at the site was used to make guns for the Union Army.

Iron making there ended after more than 120 years in 1882, though it did remained a prevalent industry in the area.

It was dedicated as a state park by the the Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry in 1987. Today, visitors may go boating, fishing and hunting there.

The park is open daily, with self-guided tour brochures and trail maps available in the parking lot. Both the museum and visitor center are open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Suggested donations are $3 for adults and $1 for children to visit the museum.

For information, call 973-657-1688.

DAR Van Bunschooten Museum: 1097 Route 23, Wantage

In 1787, this Dutch Colonial House was home to the Rev. Elias Van Bunschooten, a Dutch Reformed minister. At age 37, he took charge of three consistories - Maghagamack, Minisink and Walpac - and also was a farmer, mill operator and land owner.

In 1971, the house was donated to the Chinkchewunska Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, which worked to restore the home.

The house has 10 rooms for visitors to explore, complete with period antiques, several of which were donated by the family. These include clothing, oil paintings and cookware.

The museum is open for tours from 1 to 4 p.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of the month from May to October.

Dey Mansion Museum Washington’s Headquarters: 199 Totowa Road, Wayne

Used as George Washington’s headquarters in the summer and fall of 1780, the Dey Mansion played a significant role in the Revolutionary War.

It hosts tours, lectures and other special programs spotlighting aspects of Colonial American life and some of the critical people and events involved in the American Revolution.

Tours cost $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 7-17. Children age 6 and younger are admitted for free.